Holy Week

Holy Week is the most important sacred time within the Christian liturgical Calendar. The practice of observing Holy Week follows Christ's entrance to Jerusalem, The Last Supper, his crucifixion and death, and then his Resurrection of Easter morning. By following this ancient observance of Christ's time before his death, we are able to relive the amazing miracle of his Resurrection and the hope he has given all mankind. If you are looking for a way to deepen your understanding of Easter and take part in traditions that have been observed for more than two thousand years, we hope you will join us for any and all of our Holy Week services, with more information found below:

Palm Sunday April 9, 2016

Services: 8:30 am, 11 am and En Espanol 1:30 pm

Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week and celebrates Our Lord's triumphant entrance into the city of Jerusalem. The Bible states that he was greeted by adoring crowds that waved palm leaves at him as he rode through the city on a donkey.

We will start this service in our parish hall with the blessing of Palm fronds and palm crosses with Holy Water and read The Passion gospel.

Maundy Thursday April 13 at 7 pm

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is the night we remember the last evening and supper Christ spent with his friends, the Apostles.

We observe the ancient tradition of foot washing, where parishoners and clergy alike wash eachother's feet as Christ did for the Apostles. Much as Jesus then retired quietly to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, we will quietly go forth into the night to ponder the coming events of Good Friday. We will also take turns keeping Vigil with Christ throughout the night and into the morning of Good Friday so that we can be with him in prayer before his crucifixion.

Good Friday April 14

at noon and 7 pm

This solemn and penitent service follows Christ's last hours as he is crucified and then buried. It is also a very powerful service of Hope as we know what is coming; that a miracle is about to happen, and that God will overcome death by torture for the sake of all people.

Easter Vigil April 15 at 8:30 pm

Known as the most important night within the ancient Christian calendar, this is the night we wait by candle and firelight for Christ to conquer death and rise from his tomb. Old custom holds that Easter Vigil is when new Christians are baptized, and we keep this tradition as well.

Our Easter Vigil is held first in the darkness of the parish hall where the large Paschal Candle is lit and we say prayers and give readings celebrating God's creation and the life of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Afterward we enter the nave (our sanctuary area) to beautiful light, gorgeous flowers, incense and a flood of joyous singing as "He Is Risen!"

This is an amazing service that people of all ages, even very small ones, are encouraged to attend. The Vigil takes us from the darkness of the tomb to the bright hope and joy of the risen Christ, and ALL are welcome to come and celebrate with us! For He is Risen, Indeed!

Easter Sunday is a busy day at our parish as we celebrate Christ's resurrection with song, sacraments and prayers of thanksgiving. Join us at any of our three Sunday services and enjoy our annual Easter brunch between the 8:30 and 11 am service. There will be beautiful instrumental music along with the amazing voices of our choir, which makes for a wonderful celebration.

We also host an Easter Egg Hunt for children, with special areas for different ages of egg hunters. Anyone is welcome to join us, and we hope you do! This is the biggest day on our church calendar, offering us renewed joy, peace, and hope for our future and all of mankind.

Blessed are those that come in the name of the Lord! Hosannah in the Highest!